Swimming pool



Fig. I.

SWIMMING POOL C. M. MAPES ET AL Filed Feb. 25, 1927 Dec. 10, I 92 9.

m m F 5 w: m 2 Z K v. v u

m A u Inventors: Charles M. Mapes, b Edmund Br-ittan, 9 W.

Their Attorngg.

Patented Dec. 10, 1929 CHARLES M. MAPES, OF RUTHERFORD, NET/V J AND EDMUND BHITIAN, (ll-l NEW YGRK, N. Y.; SAID BRITTAN ASSIGNOR TO SAID MAPEE SWIMMING- POOL- Application filed February 23,1927. Serial No. 179,398.

The invention is directed to features of con struction whereby a suitable reservoir may be employed either as a skating rink or as a swimming pool. Among the features of the invention is the provision of means whereby the conversion from the use of the reservoir for one purpose to use for the other purpose may be readily effected.

In carrying the invention into effect in a form which we now. regard as a preferred form thereof, we provide a temperature controlling means in cooperative relation with the floor of the reservoir for the purpose primarily of freezing a layer of ice on the said floor to adapt the reservoir as a skating rink. For the purpose of converting the reservoir for use as a swimming pool, we provide a floor arranged for ready placement in the reservoir and ready removal therefrom, this superposed floor being suitably supported at an angle to the main floor so as to provide a varying depth for the swimming pool. The said superposed floor is preferably perforated so as to provide for a circulation of the water in the pool. Certain of the side walls of the reservoir are preferably of step formation so as to provide for the entrance and exit of persons to the reservoir, whether the same is used as a swimming pool or as a skating rink and also to provide for the seating of spectators for the skating rink. The said superimposed floor is preferably designed to interiit with the said step formation so as to provide an uninterrupted surface for the floor of the swimming pool.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is had to the-accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the reservoir when being used as a swimming pool; Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the reservoir adapted for use as a skating rink; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the reservoir when used as a swimming pool, showing the removable perforated floor and the manner in which this floor interfits with the s'eps forming two opposite side walls of the reservoir; Fig. 4: is a side sectional view taken longitudinally of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5is a similar sectional view showing the reservoir adapted for use as a skating rink.

Referring to F 1 and 2, the reservoir is preferably, although not necessarily, of rectangular shape and of such dimensions that the area of the floor 11 is at least as large as that required for playing the game of ice hockey. The pipes, such as indicated by 12, are preferably embedded in the floor 11 and provide a means for the circulation of a refrigerating medium for freezing a layer of ice on the floor 11 to adapt the reservoir for use as a skating rink as shown in Fig. 2. The reservoir 10 is preferably of concrete that provides a suitable water tight structure and one which can be readily repaired as cracks develop or a flaking oif occurs. "We would have understood that although we have shown the temperature controlling piping as embedded in the concrete floor, and regard this as a preferable construction, the invention is not necessarily thus limited, since the piping may be laid upon the floor. life also contemplate that this temperature controlling circulating system may he used for governing the temperature of the water i hen the reservoir is being used as a swimming pool.

In order to convert the reservoir from the useas a skating rink, as shown in Fig. 2, to the use as a swimming pool, as shown in Fig. 1, the circulation of the refrigerating medium through the piping 12 is stopped and the superposed floor 13 is placed in position in y the reservoir. This floor 13 1s of any suitable material and if the floor is of wood it is desir able to impregnate thesame with some fluid repellant medium such as sulphur. Sulphur used as air impregnating medium has the further advantage of adding considerable weight so that the floor will remain in position by its own Weight when the reservoir is filled with water. The floor 13 is held in a position an angle to the floor 11 so that the effective depth of the swimming pool varies from a minimum at one end tl'iereof to the full depth of the reservoir at the other end thereof. In this way, beginners may safely use the shallow end of the pool and the more experienced swimmers use the deep end of the pool. ltd though no indication thereof has been made on the drawing, it will be obvious that a as the sectional supporting structure 14. This structure is formed of a suitable number of uprights of gradually varying helghts and cross members secured thereto for the purpose of holding the uprights in position with respect to the floor and with respect to each other. It will be found desirable to make the floor 13 of a number of sections suitably marked for identification and also mark the uprights and cross members in a suitable mana definite plan.

ner for identification so that the floor sections and the support sections may be assembled and secured together in accordance with Thus, the ready removal or installation of the floor and its supporting structure is facilitated. The supporting structure, if of wood, is also suitably impregnated with a waterproofing material, such as sulphur.

The construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4- embodies the general features heretofore referred to in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and similar parts and parts having similar functions are designated "by thesame numerals as corresponding parts of Figs.-l and2. Figs. 3 and 4: show the side walls 15 and 16 of the reservoir 10 as of a step formation and the superposed floor 18 as of such a shape as to interfitwith the steps 1 of the'sid'e walls. These steps serve a double purpose since they provide a means of entrance and exit to the reservoir whether the same be used as a swimming pool or as a skating rink, and also serve as seats for spectators.

'Of course they provide a greater seating capacity when the reservoir is used as a skating rink than when it 1s used as'a swimming pool, because the water depth is less in one case than inthe other, but the capacity may easily be increased by increasingthe depth of the reservoir or by making the side walls of greater height and running the steps to the top edge thereof. Obviously, the steps may so extend from the floor 11 to the top of the side walls even though this may'mean either i a reduction of the bottom area or the prevision of a wider reservoir. When the steps are not run to the top edge of'the reservoir, as

in-the presentinstanee, ladders may be used to connect the top steps with the top of the reservoir. 7

The superposed floor 13 is preferably provided With perforations 17 as indicated, for the purpose of permitting a comparatively free circulation of the water in the reservoir when used as a swimming pool. The depth ofthe water in the pool may be nearly equal the height of the walls of the reservoir.

In Fig. 5, the superposed floor and its supporting structure of Fi l have been removed so as to adapt the reservoir for use as a. skating rink. The steps 16 are indicated as an integral part of the side wall. lVhile this is regarded as a preferable eonstruetiml, we would have it understood that this integral construction is not essential. since the steps may be of the removable type. l'lowever, since there is no necessity of removing); these steps they are preferably formed as an integral part of the side wall.

While the drawing does not show the same, we would have it understood that we contemplate that suitable inlet and outlet p:-.ssa zres are to be provided for the water of the swimming pool. Such provisions are customary and have therefore not been shown. A satisfactory method of forming the ice for the skating rink is to cause the refrigerating medium to circulate through the piping 12 until the floor 11 is at a temperature below 32 F. and then spray the water on the floor. A layer of several inches of ice can be formed comparatively quickly and this thickness is suitable for skating.

hatwe claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is A swimming pool construction comprising a substantially rectangular and relatively deep water-tight tank having steps on two opposite sides leading to the bottom thereof: and extending the full length of said sides to provide seats for spectators as well as means for entrance and exit, and a removable inclined sectional and perforated. platform supported within the tank interlittingly with the steps on opposite sides.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of February, 19:27.

CHARLES M. MAPES. EDMUND BRITTAN. 

